Raath, Whitley & Winter Victorious at Sara Bay
SARASOTA, Fla. – After Tropical Storm Sally formed off the west coast of Florida and washed out in the final round, Jonah Winter, Aaron Whitley and Analiese Raath took home Florida Junior Tour wins at Sara Bay Country Club. Winter was victorious in Boys 16-18 Division after holding the lead after 18 holes, while Whitley and Raath were co-champions in the Girls 16-18 Division.
This is the first FJT victory for Winter and Raath, while this is the fourth and second-straight win for Whitley.
Boys 16-18 Division
Winter got off to a slow start in the first round of Saturday, playing the first four holes at 4 over. The Sarasota native rebounded to close out the front side with back-to-back birdies on the seventh and eighth.
He continued his strong play with a bogey-free back nine, closing out the day with an eagle on the 17th and a birdie on the 18th. Winter finished the round with a 2-under 70, the only under-par round of the day.
After the final round was cancelled due to weather, Winter captured the win in the Boys 16-18 Division.
Alexander Dalmau finished second at even-par 70, carding back-to-back birdies to close out the first round on Saturday. A group of eight players finished the tournament tied for third.
Girls 16-18 Division
Whitley and Raath were crowned co-champions in the Girls 16-18 Division at 3-over 75. Whitley made the turn on Saturday at 3 over. The Sarasota native closed out the day with a birdie on the 17th and an eagle on the 18th to move into a tie for first with Raath. This is Whitley’s second-straight victory after winning last week at Stone Creek Golf Club.
Raath posted a 4 over on the front side, but the Lakeland native rebounded on the back nine with birdies on three of the last five holes to finish the day in a tie for first and claim her first FJT win.
Jordan Fischer took home a third-place finish at 4-over 76, while Posie Farrelly and Wyndom Burnett tied for fourth at 7-over 79.
